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Netanyahu Vows Israel Won’t Be Drawn Into War of Attrition as Iran Threatens US, Allies With Sleeper Cells, Proxy Strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would not be drawn into a war of attrition, even as Iranian threats of retaliation mounted across multiple fronts.
Declaring that Israel was “close to achieving the goals of the campaign,” Netanyahu’s message on Sunday came amid reports that Iran warned it may activate sleeper cells abroad and called on its proxies — from Hezbollah to the Houthis — to target Israeli and American assets in response to the US strikes on its nuclear program earlier in the day.
Also speaking Sunday, US President Donald Trump appeared to entertain the idea of regime change in Tehran — a notable departure from earlier statements by senior administration officials, who have insisted that removing the Islamic Republic’s leadership is not a strategic goal. Writing on Truth Social, he posted: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
Iran, for its part, warned that American bases across the Middle East could come under fire in response to US and Israeli operations.
“We won’t continue our actions beyond what is needed to achieve [the goals], but we also won’t finish too soon,” Netanyahu told reporters. “This is a regime that wants to wipe us out [and] this operation will eliminate the two concrete threats to our existence: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat. We are moving towards achieving these goals and we are very, very close to completing them.”
Meanwhile, Israel has ramped up its airstrikes against Iran, with Defense Minister Israel Katz announcing on X on Monday that the Israeli military was attacking not only the regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs but also its infrastructure of domestic repression.
“In accordance with the directives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and myself, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is now attacking with unprecedented force regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran, including the Basij headquarters, Evin Prison for political prisoners and opponents of the regime, the ‘Destruction of Israel’ clock in Palestine Square, the internal security headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards, the Ideology Headquarters, and other regime targets,” Katz said. “For every shot fired at the Israeli home front, the Iranian dictator will be punished, and the attacks will continue with full force. We will continue to work to defend the home front and defeat the enemy until all war goals are achieved.”
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that any site used by American forces — in the region or beyond — could now be targeted. “Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” he said in remarks published by the state-run IRNA. “America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.”
American military intelligence reportedly detected Iran-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq — and possibly Syria — preparing to launch attacks on US positions following the strikes, The New York Times reported on Sunday. Those groups include some of the most powerful paramilitary factions aligned with Tehran and have a well-established record of targeting American forces with rockets and explosive drones.
The US, meanwhile, ordered the evacuation of staff from its embassies in Iraq and Lebanon, and issued warnings to citizens worldwide about the risk of Iranian reprisal. The Department of Homeland Security cited “a heightened threat environment in the United States,” while the State Department urged Americans abroad to exercise increased caution due to “the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad.”
According to a report by NBC News, Iran has privately warned the United States that it could activate sleeper cells on American soil in response to military action. While no specific plots have been publicly disclosed, the threat is being taken seriously by US authorities, who have increased domestic security measures and intelligence monitoring in anticipation of possible attacks. Vice President JD Vance said the administration is examining the possibility of an Iran-backed homeland attack “very closely.”
Beyond the threat of sleeper cells, Iranian retaliation is also expected to come through its regional proxies. On Sunday, Yemen’s Houthis declared that their forces were “ready to target US ships in the Red Sea” in response to the American strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. Washington’s entry into the war has also raised concerns over the possibility that Iran could disrupt global shipping by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply passes.
However, Sha’ul Chorev, a national security and maritime expert, said that such a move would have limited impact on American energy needs.
“The United States is expected to be largely unaffected by the closure,” he told The Algemeiner, pointing to long-term trends showing a steep decline in US energy imports from the region. In 2024, the US imported around 0.5 million barrels per day of crude oil and condensate from Persian Gulf countries, accounting for just 7 percent of total US imports and 2 percent of overall petroleum consumption. That figure was the lowest in nearly four decades, as domestic production and imports from Canada have increased.
“Regarding the Houthis, oil exports have minimal influence since alternative land routes for oil production in Yanbu exist,” Chorev added.
In Lebanon, Iran’s most heavily armed terror proxy, Hezbollah, is sitting out the fight for now, despite mounting pressure from hardliners in Tehran to escalate. A Hezbollah spokesperson told Newsweek on Sunday that “Iran is a strong country capable of defending itself … Hezbollah remains committed to all matters agreed upon since the ceasefire.”
Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, a former IDF officer and founder of the Alma Center, said “clear messages were sent to Hezbollah through the Lebanese government that if it will join, it will suffer huge damages while it is already very weak and very busy in recovering since the previous war that ended in November.”
While Hezbollah retains the capacity to fire rockets from its dwindling supply or send small units across the border, it is not in a position to mount a large-scale assault or cause serious nationwide damage.
As a resident of northern Israel, Zehavi added a personal observation about the constant uncertainty facing civilians near the border. “Each time I hear the sirens go, I ask myself whether it’s Iran or Hezbollah and how much time do I have to go to the bomb shelter.”
Maj. (Res.) Shadi Khalloul, a researcher and expert on Hezbollah and Lebanese affairs, said the group is in a deep strategic bind. “There’s a chance they might react, but if they do, it could be the end for them and their community,” he told The Daily Brief. Hezbollah, he said, fears not only a devastating Israeli response but also retribution from Sunni jihadist forces — including those linked to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani) — who might seize the opportunity to enter the Bekaa Valley and strike Shia communities in revenge for Hezbollah’s role in the Syrian civil war.
“They know, if they interfere, this will be their end game,” he said. “Not reacting is their chance for survival.”
The post Netanyahu Vows Israel Won’t Be Drawn Into War of Attrition as Iran Threatens US, Allies With Sleeper Cells, Proxy Strikes first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Iran President Accuses Israel of Assassination Attempt in Interview with Tucker Carlson
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivers a speech in Tehran, Iran, April 18, 2025. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
In an interview released Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Israel attempted to assassinate him, marking a dramatic new chapter in the already volatile tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Speaking to Carlson from Tehran, Pezeshkian claimed, “They did try, yes,” when asked directly whether Israel had attempted to kill him. “They acted accordingly, but they failed.”
The interview marks the first time Pezeshkian has spoken to a Western journalist since his election earlier this year and comes just weeks after a 12-day exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel, including Israeli airstrikes deep into Iranian territory targeting military sites and nuclear-linked personnel.
The interview, posted on Carlson’s independent media platform, did not touch on Iran’s nuclear program or human rights record, but instead focused on questions about war, trust, and the future of diplomacy. When asked if Iran seeks war with the United States or Israel, Pezeshkian said that it is not “in the interest of the United States to be involved in any kind of war in my region.”
He emphasized that Iran is open to resuming nuclear talks but added that trust had been badly damaged by the Trump administration’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and continued US support for Israeli military operations.
Last month, Israel initiated a series of intense airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, most notably at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, reportedly destroying above‑ground infrastructure and eliminating dozens of scientists. Shortly after, the US entered the fray under “Operation Midnight Hammer,” deploying B‑2 stealth bombers and submarine‑launched Tomahawk missiles to strike the same three sites in a coordinated effort with Israel on June 22.
The operations came amid fears from the US and international intelligence agencies that Tehran had rapidly advanced its nuclear enrichment program, bringing it dangerously close to weapons-grade capability. Since the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Iran had steadily increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, operating advanced centrifuges in defiance of international limits. As of the latest IAEA reports prior to the recent war, Iran possessed enough enriched material to produce multiple nuclear weapons had they chosen to further refine it.
Carlson, who has previously interviewed controversial figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, offered a platform that was largely non-confrontational, focusing on eliciting Pezeshkian’s views rather than challenging them. This approach drew immediate criticism from analysts and rights advocates, who accused Carlson of giving an authoritarian regime unfiltered airtime.
The interview represents a strategic media move by Iran. Pezeshkian’s decision to speak with Carlson, who retains a large conservative audience in the US despite his departure from Fox, appears to be an effort to bypass traditional diplomatic channels and communicate directly with American viewers. Iranian state media quickly broadcast subtitled clips of the interview, using Pezeshkian’s comments to frame Iran as reasonable and under threat.
US officials have not yet publicly responded to the interview or the assassination allegation. The State Department declined CNN’s request for comment. However, the timing of the interview and its substance may complicate an already fragile diplomatic landscape. With the Trump administration under pressure to manage growing instability in the Middle East, Pezeshkian’s remarks could potentially deepen distrust between the US and Tehran.
Carlson’s interview with Iran’s president has reignited criticism from some conservative commentators and political figures, who accuse him of promoting anti-Israel sentiment and aligning too closely with America’s geopolitical adversaries. Critics point to Carlson’s recent rhetoric questioning US support for Israel and his willingness to offer uncritical platforms to leaders like Vladimir Putin and now Masoud Pezeshkian. For some on the right, this represents a departure from traditional conservative foreign policy views that strongly support Israel and take a hard line on adversarial regimes. The backlash underscores growing fractures within the conservative movement over nationalism, non-interventionism, and America’s role abroad.
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BBC Music Chief Steps Back from Duties After Glastonbury Live Stream of Rap Duo Bob Vylan Chanting ‘Death to IDF’
BBC headquarters in central London. Photo by Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
The BBC’s Director of Music Lorna Clarke has reportedly stepped back from her day-to-day duties after the corporation apologized for streaming a live performance by the British punk rap duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival, during which they lead the audience in chanting “Death to the IDF,” a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
The BBC said on Thursday that a small number of senior staff members have been told to pull back from their daily duties covering music and live events after the BBC streamed Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set in late June. Clarke is reportedly among that small group of senior staffers, The Times reported. According to the BBC’s website, Clarke is responsible for six national popular and classical music networks, as well as live music events, and has over 30 years of broadcasting experience.
Bob Vylan’s lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster led the crowd in chanting, “Free, free Palestine” as well as “Death, death to the IDF,” during the duo’s Glastonbury set on June 28 at the event in Somerset, England. The performance was available to watch on BBC via a live stream on iPlayer.
Following the incident, Bob Vylan was removed from the lineup for England’s Radar Festival and France’s Kave Fest, their US visas were revoked ahead of their North America tour, and they were dropped by the United Talent Agency. Bob Vylan is also banned from opening for the US-based band Gogol Bordello in Germany later this year by the Live Music Hall venue, Rolling Stone reported.
BBC Chairman Samir Shah said in a statement on July 3 that the corporation was wrong for transmitting Bob Vylan’s anti-IDF exhortations.
“I’d like first of all to apologise to all our viewers and listeners and particularly the Jewish community for allowing the ‘artist’ Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC,” he said. “This was unquestionably an error of judgment. I was very pleased to note that as soon as this came to the notice of [BBC Director-General] Tim Davie — who was on the Glastonbury site at the time visiting BBC staff — he took immediate action and instructed the team to withdraw the performance from on-demand coverage.”
“I am satisfied that the Executive is initiating a process to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for the failings in this incident,” he added. “While it is important that the process is carried out fairly and correctly, it is equally important that the Executive takes decisive action. The Board fully supports the Director-General and the swift actions taken by him and his team to identify these errors and address them.”
In a separate statement, the BBC apologized for live streaming Bob Vylan’s “offensive and deplorable behavior.” The corporation insisted “there can be no place for antisemitism at, or on, the BBC” and admitted that “errors were made both in the lead-up to and during Bob Vylan’s appearance.” The BBC said it was taking action to “ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible” for the broadcast.
The BBC also said Bob Vylan were one of seven Glastonbury acts considered “high risk” following a risk assessment process done ahead of the festival, but the duo was ultimately found suitable for live streaming “with appropriate mitigations.” The broadcaster said it would make “immediate changes to livestreaming music events” so that in the future “any music performances deemed high risk by the BBC will now not be broadcast live or streamed live.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the anti-IDF chant as “appalling hate speech.” Glastonbury head Emily Eavis and organizers of the event said in a joint statement that they were “appalled” by Bob Vylan’s behaviour at Glastonbury.
“Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence,” they said. “Glastonbury Festival was created in 1970 as a place for people to come together and rejoice in music, the arts and the best of human endeavour. As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in — and actively campaign for — hope, unity, peace and love.”
Bob Vylan shared a statement on Instagram further explaining their “Death to the IDF” chant. “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,” they wrote. “A machine whose own soldiers were told to use ‘unnecessary lethal force’ against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza. We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”
Bob Vylan performed at Glastonbury on the West Holts stage ahead of Kneecap, an Irish rap group that shared a “f–k Israel, free Palestine” message on stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April. A member of Kneecap has also been charged for allegedly expressing support for Hezbollah, which is a US- and UK-designated terrorist organization. During their own set at the Glastonbury Festival, Kneecap expressed support for Palestine and criticized the British and American governments.
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Hezbollah Rejects US-Backed Disarmament Proposal
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers a speech from an unknown location, Nov. 20, 2024, in this still image from video. Photo: REUTERS TV/Al Manar TV via REUTERS.
Hezbollah has vowed to keep its weapons, rejecting a US-backed disarmament proposal amid increasing pressure from the Lebanese government and Israeli threats following new airstrikes and a cross-border incursion.
“This threat will not make us accept surrender,” Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Sunday, warning they will not abandon their weapons and insisting that Israel’s “aggression” must first stop.
“How can you expect us not to stand firm while the Israeli enemy continues its aggression, continues to occupy the five points, and continues to enter our territories and kill?” said Qassem, who succeeded longtime terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah after Israel killed him last year.
Hezbollah’s response came as the Lebanese government involved the Iran-backed terror group while crafting a reply to US envoy Tom Barrack’s proposal, which called for Israel to halt attacks on Lebanese soil in exchange for the group’s disarmament.
“We will not be part of legitimizing the occupation in Lebanon and the region. We will not accept normalization [with Israel],” Qassem said in his speech.
“America’s equation asking us to choose between being killed or surrender does not concern us and we will cling to our rights,” the terrorist leader continued.
On Monday, Barrack said he was “unbelievably satisfied” with Lebanon’s response to Washington’s recent proposal on disarming Hezbollah, following meetings between American and Lebanese leaders in Beirut.
This latest proposal, presented to Lebanese officials during Barrack’s visit on June 19, calls for Hezbollah to be fully disarmed within four months in exchange for Israel halting airstrikes and withdrawing troops from the five occupied posts in southern Lebanon.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday, Barrack said he had received the official response but did not disclose any details about its contents.
“What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time,” Barrack said. “I’m unbelievably satisfied with the response.”
The US envoy said he believed “the Israelis do not want war with Lebanon.”
“Both countries are trying to give the same thing — the notion of a stand-down agreement, of the cessation of hostilities, and a road to peace,” Barrack continued.
Last fall, Israel decimated Hezbollah’s leadership and military capabilities with an air and ground offensive, following the group’s attacks on Jerusalem — which they claimed were a show of solidarity with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas amid the war in Gaza.
In November, Lebanon and Israel reached a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended a year of fighting between the Jewish state and Hezbollah.
Under the agreement, Israel was given 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and UN forces to take over security as Hezbollah disarms and moves away from Israel’s northern border.
However, Israel maintained troops at several posts in southern Lebanon beyond the ceasefire deadline, as its leaders aimed to reassure northern residents that it was safe to return home.
Jerusalem has continued carrying out strikes targeting remaining Hezbollah activity, with Israeli leaders accusing the group of maintaining combat infrastructure, including rocket launchers — calling this “blatant violations of understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”
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